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Monthly Archives: July 2013

The ALA has launched Authors for Library Ebooks, a new campaign that asks authors to stand with libraries in their push for equitable access to ebooks.

The campaign argues that libraries support authors in a number of ways:

Exposure. Libraries help authors get noticed through author events, book clubs, readers advisory and features on library websites

Sales. Research shows that library loans encourage people to buy books. Many libraries now even provide an option for people to click and “buy-it-now” from their websites

Respect. Libraries honor authors’ work by protecting copyright and paying for the content they lend

Love of reading. Libraries help grow readers – and writers

and encourages authors to sign up to a statement of shared values, to talk to their publishers, and to discuss the issue through their own public communication channels. High-profile authors such as Ursula K. Le Guin, Jodi Picoult and Cory Doctorow are already on board.

raise awareness of the legal aspects of e-lending in libraries amongst all stakeholders

develop best practice principles for e-book acquisition and lending in libraries

draft proposals for legislative change to enable e-lending in the public interest in Latvia

The project resulted in well-publicised advocacy campaigns aimed at key stakeholders and the general public, as well as a Memorandum of Understanding on e-lending principles that was endorsed by the Latvian Ministry of Culture, although has not yet been endorsed by publishers.

A pilot project to test the e-lending principles of the MOU will occur with one publisher in the future.